Arkansas freshman guard Nick Smith Jr., as expected, declared for the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday.
But good news came hours later when sophomore forward Trevon Brazile announced he would return for the 2023-24 season. Brazile continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained in December and the surgery that followed.
The 6-foot-4 Smith is expected to be a lottery pick.
Smith announced his decision on social media.
to be continued… pic.twitter.com/LHNtENx2ta
— Nick Smith Jr (@lif3nick) March 30, 2023
Smith averaged 12.5 points in 17 games (14 starts) this season for the Razorbacks, who finished 22-14 and earned a trip to the Sweet 16, where they dropped an 88-65 decision to Final Four-bound UConn.
Smith missed nearly two months with a knee injury during the heart of the season, from Dec. 17 to Feb. 11.
Smith was a McDonald’s All-American and came to Arkansas as the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2022, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
The 6-foot-10 Brazile, a transfer from Missouri, had been the Razorbacks’ top reserve, averaging 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in nine games before suffering the injury against North Carolina-Greensboro. Prior to the injury, he was expected to leave for the NBA after the season and be a first-round pick.
–Field Level Media